Sleeper TE heads to the Big Ten

Tight end Daniel Rhodes out of Charlotte (N.C.) Independence made his selection late last week. Where is the 6-foot-3, 250-pounder headed?

"I committed to Illinois late last week," he said. "They offered me back in April or May, they were my only offer. They were pretty happy with my decision after I had come up there last week."

Rhodes made his first trek to Illinois and quickly followed up with a decision last Thursday.

"When I went there, I was really big on the academic program they had," he stated. "They have one of the best academic programs in the nation. They are really prestigious and ranked very high. Even though I'm going to be far from home, I wanted to know I'd have a family atmosphere where I was at. They are family-oriented and I can always sit down with the coaches when I need to and focus on my schoolwork.

"I like that the coaches are very open there. They aren't all uptight and closed, they are willing to talk and listen to what you have to say. They can make me a better person and they have my best interests in mind."

Rhodes picked the Illini over interest from North Carolina, NC State, Syracuse, Duke and Cincinnati.

As for playing time, that is unclear at this point.

"The coaches told me their last tight end was recruited as a fullback, so they really needed a tight end, but they haven't talked about playing time yet."

Rhodes posted 15 receptions for approximately 300-yards as a junior this past season.